Increase self-consumption

With adopting the pattern “increase self-consumption” the community strives to become as energy self-sufficient as possible in the domains electricity, mobility and heating. In this case, it is common that the community has a partial or full ownership of the local energy system that promotes the deployment of decentralised energies. The focus is on implementing local energy systems which allow higher self-consumption within the community. The key motivations to adopt the “increase self-consumption” pattern are: reduce grid connection costs from consumption peaks, promote local economic activity, become independent of energy price fluctuation and strive for (energy) self-sufficiency. Furthermore, an important aspect of this pattern is the empowerment of the customers through local ownership of the energy system.

Implementation reference

– The energy (heat + electricity) self-sufficient village (Feldheim)
– Energy neutrality through smart energy management, heat pumps, storage & e-Mobility (Schoonschip Energie Coöperatie)
– Virtual storage of solar power (EON Solar cloud)

Research reference

– Orehounig et al (2014): Sustainable energy community in Zernez (Switzerland)

This pattern belongs to the core area: Community Value Proposition